The Benchmark: Resin composites

Estelite Sigma Quick

Herculite Ultra

Tetric EvoCeram

REALITY's Top Choices

THE SET-UP
All tests performed in the Reality Research lab are performed by dentists-not students or researchers-in a way that simulates actual clinical procedures as closely as possible.   

THE CRITERIA

Ideal characteristics include:

• Consistency and handling-do you like it stiff or brushable?

• Volumetric shrinkage-lower is usually better

• Porosity-potholes on the surface are not good

• Curing time-10 seconds is usually not enough

• Working time-will it start to cure before you’re ready?

• Fluorescence-does it look dead or radioactive?

• Polish-needs to match gloss of enamel

THE RESULTS

Esthet-X HD, DENTSPLY Caulk 

Better than the original version, this is a nice material for daily use with plenty of shades. It meets the ultimate goal of being easier to polish, but its still somewhat sticky, translucent enamel shades can cause a restoration to appear too gray and it should cure better in a proximal box.

Herculite Ultra, Kerr Corp

Simplified shade selection is to be applauded along with its handling. It is much better from a polishing perspective compared to its legacy namesake, but its chameleon effect suffers due to the enamel shades being overly opaque. Its limited shade offering could be an issue with older patients.

Venus Diamond, Heraeus Kulzer LLC

Better than the original version and gives you the opportunity to create really nice esthetic results, especially posteriorly where it packs and cures well, but its stiffness may not make it a favorite for everyday use.

For comprehensive information on provisional materials and over 100 other categories of products, please visit realityesthetics.com

THE DENTAL ADVISOR’s Top Choices

THE SET-UP
Dental resin composites have continued to evolve since their introduction in the late 1960s. Over the past few years, enhancements have been made to reduce filler particle size. These changes improve esthetics, polymerization shrinkage, strength, wear resistance and handling.   

Ideal features include:

• Packable and sculptable

• Non stickyLow wear

• Polish well

• Good radiopacity

• Good shade selection

THE RESULTS

Estelite Sigma Quick, Tokuyama America

A low-shrinkage, submicron-filled composite for use in both anterior and posterior restorations. This enhanced version of Estelite Sigma implements RAP technology (Radical-Amplified Photopolymerization initiator technology).
Selected comments included…

• “Works well with all of the bonding systems I use in my office.”

• “Not as sensitive to the operating light as other composites.”

• “It’s rare that I would get this excited about a composite, but this one blew me away!”

Filtek Supreme Ultra, 3M ESPE

This advanced formulation of Filtek Supreme Plus offers fluorescence, additional body shades, improved handling of the translucent shades and is easier to polish.

• “The enamel shades give good depth for most anterior multi-layer/shade restorations.”

• “Composite stays where placed and is easy to sculpt.”

• “Good color match and very nice surface finish.”

Tetric EvoCeram, Ivoclar Vivadent Inc.

This universal, nanohybrid composite is indicated for Class I, II, III, IV, and V restorations; veneering anterior teeth; splinting of mobile teeth; and repair of ceramic and composite veneers. Nineteen radiopaque shades are available.

• “I loved the way it blended with the tooth.”

• “Good handling characteristics-just about the perfect consistency.”

• “Include more of the lighter shades in the kit.”